Pouring fitment



Nov. 16, 1965 R. v. BURT 3,217,935

POURING FITMENT Filed May 11, 1964 INVENTOR. Robert V. Burt BYM/4. W

ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,21'7,935 PUlliN-G FITMENT Robert V. hurt, Cincinnati, Ghia, assiguor to The Procter Gamble Company, Cincinnati, hio, a corporation of Ghia Filed May 11, 1964, Ser. No. 36d,3t18 Clairns. (Cl. 222-1519) This invention relates to pouring fitments and more particularly, to a fitment adapted for assembly with the opening of a conventional liquid container wherein the fitrnent has a movable pour spout.

In pouring liquids, especially liquid shortenings, salad and coolring oils, from conventional containers, the liquid has a tendency to run down the outside surface whenever pouring is stopped. As a result, the outer surface of the container becomes covered with a film of the liquid. This is particularly objectionable if the liquid is of the oily type since it causes the outer surface of the container to become sticky and messy. In addition, if the oil is subject to oxidative deterioration, it can cause a rancid odor to develop if the container surface is exposed to the atmosphere for prolonged periods.

Furthermore, conventional glass and metal containers are provided with pouring lips which do not inherently prevent dripping when flow is stopped unless an adapter device of some kind is inserted in the container pour opening. Generally speaking, drip-inhibiting adapters do not have adequate means for venting the pouring opening thus causing gurgling and slug-like fiow when liquid is poured from the container. Also, many conventional adapters are deficient in not providing adequate flow-back means for liquid droplets that flow over their drip-inhibiting surfaces, thus causing liquid to run down the outer container surfaces which is objectionable as previously indicated.

The principal object of this invention is to obviate all of the above-mentioned difiiculties.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pouring fitment which can be attached to the pouring outlet of a conventional glass or metal container to prevent liquid dripping and to avoid any liquid from running down the sides of the container.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pouring fitment of this Character which can be secured to a pouring opening in a container so that it does not interfere with the formation of a tight seal between the closure cap and the sealing surface of the container when the pouring fitment is not in use.

Still a further object of the invention is the provision of a pouring fitrnent having a structure such that any liquid which may inadvertently flow over the pouring lip is returned to the interior of the container without contacting any of its outer surfaces.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a pouring fitnient which is simple, inexpensive and can be easily asseinbled in order to reduce material, manufacturing and assembly costs to a point where `the device is feasible for use on a large commercial Scale.

The nature and substance of the invention can be summarized briefly as comprising a pouring fitment which can be assembled with the dispensing outlet of a container filled with liquid product. The pouring fitment is composed of an outer sleeve element assembled in pouring relationship with the bore of the dispensing outlet of a container in liquid-tight relationship. An inwardly projecting fiange is provided in the lower portion of the outer sleeve. An inner spout member is provided for aXial movement within the outer sleeve. The inner spout member has a pouring lip at its upper end. An outwardly projecting fin extends from the outer surface of the EQ Patented Nov.. 16, 1965 cce inner spout member intermediate its ends. Stop means are provided at the lower terminus of the spout member, said stop means are deformable so they can be forced through the inwardly projecting fiange of the outer sleeve to assemble the two members. The dimensions of the stop means are such that the stop means engage the inwardly projecting flange of the outer sleeve element when the pouring fitment is fully assembled. A venting surface is provided on the inner spout member for enlarging upon the width of the annular space between the outer sleeve element and the inner spout member to provide ample venting means while pouring liquid through the spout. Spring biasing means are provided to normally urge the stop means into engagement with the inwardly projecting fiange on the outer sleeve thereby moving the spout member outwardly into pouring position. When not in use, a conventional closure cap is secured to the container opening to force the spout member downwardly against the force of the spring biasing means.

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed the invention will lbe better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric view of the component parts which comprise the pouring fitmient of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevation, in cross section, showing the assembled pouring fitment secured in a liquid container having its closure cap in place..

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary elevation, in cross section, showing the liquid container after the closure cap has been removed with the container and pouring fitment tilted to pour liquid from the container into any desired receptacle.

Referring now to the drawing, a description of the invention will be made in one of its preferred embodiments. The invention is designed for use with any conventional liquid container which can be made of glass, metal or other materials normally used to store materials of this kind. Purely for convenience, a glass fluid container 10 is shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The invention has been found to have utility when used with glass containers of the lrind commonly used for packaging and dispensing liquid shortenings, salad oils and like products. lt is to be understood, however, that the material used for the container is not limited to glass nor is the use of the pouring fitment necessarily limited to edible oil products. These specific materials and products are mentioned here merely to give a specific example of one application of the invention.

The liquid container 1h is provided with a conventional finish including a dispensing outlet bore 11, a sealing surface 12, and a thread 13. A transfer ring or bead 14 is normally provided on containers of this kind as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art of manufacturing glass containers. The liquid container 16 is provided with a small annular cut-out 15 at the juncture of the bore 11 With the sealing surface 12. The purpose and advantages of the cut-out 15 will be appreciated as the description proceeds although it should be understood that the cutout is not essential to the proper operation of the invention.

A closure cap 16 is screwed on the thread 13 when the contents of the container are to be sealed. The closure cap 16 includes an internal sealing element consisting of a corlr 17 and a liner 13 which can be of aluminum or any other suitable material. When the closure cap 16 is firrnly screwed to the thread 13, the liner 18 of the Sealing element bears on the sealing surface 12 to provide a liquid and gas-tight seal. This is particularly important when packaging edible oil products and the like which are subject to deterioration on contact with air or Oxygen.

The pouring fitment includes an outer sleeve 19 (FIG- URES 1, 2 and 3) ras one of its elements. The outer sleeve 19 can be molded from polyethylene or like plastics or any other material which is feasible from a practical and economical standpoint. The outer sleeve 19 (FIGURE l) has an outwardly projecting upper flange 29 and a chamfered corner 21 (as best shown in FIG- URES 1 and 3). The fiange 20 is seated in the annular cut-out 15. The thickness of the flange 2d is such that it fits fully within the cut-out and does not interfere with the previously described seal between the liner 18 and the sealing surface 12 of the container.

Relatively spaced axially along the outer face of the wall portion of the sleeve 19 there may be a plurality of narrow circumferential rings or ridges 22 which provide a plurality of narrow sealing lines by frictionally engaging the bore 11 to provide a liquid-tight frictional seal between the outer sleeve 19 and the liquid container 10. The ridges 22 are sufliciently flexible so that they will seal satisfactorily when the dimension of the bore 11 of the container varies within a reasonable range. This makes it possible to insert the pouring fitment into commercially available bottles supplied in large quantities wherein bore size variations will normally occur.

The lower portion of the sleeve 19 is composed of a plurality of downwardly projecting leg members 23 as best seen in FIGURE 1. An equal number of elongated openings 24 are formed which preferably are relatively large to provide adequate venting means when pouring liquid from the container. While the openings 24 are shown as being numerous and relatively large, this is primarily for practical considerations in order to reduce the amount of material used in making the outer sleeve 19. The pouring fitment will operate satisfactorily with small openings 24 and even if the number of these openings is reduced to one, provided at least one of the openings is oriented so that it is on the side opposite the pouring lip 2'7. An inwardly projecting surface or flange 25 is provided at the lower eXtremity of the sleeve 19 to give the leg members 23 stability and to provide other useful functions which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

An inner spout member 26 is provided and can be made from the same material or a material similar to those described for making the outer sleeve 19. The member 21" is provided with a pouring lip 27 (FIGURE 1) which extends at least half-way around its upper extremity. The pouring lip 27 terminates in a sharp edge at 28 which is designed to inhibit dripping when liquid is poured from the container 10. A round surface 29kjoins the body of the spout member 26 with the pouring lip 27 to provide for the smooth fiow of liquid. An angular cut 30 (as seen in FIGURES 2 and 3) is formed opposite the pouring lip 27.

The annular fin 31 extends from the body of the spout member 26 so that its outer edge 32 is in close proximity to the inner bore 33 of the sleeve 19. The fin 31 is used to maintain proper alignment of the spout member 26 within the outer sleeve 19 when the former is moved axially with respect to the latter. In this connection it is important to note that the fin 31 is located intermediate the ends of the spout member 26. Since the edge 32 lies in close proximity to the bore 33, the fin 31 must be below the portion of the bore 33 lying inside the ridges 22 on the sleeve 19 when the pouring fitment is in the position of FIGURE 3. This relationship is important from a practical standpoint because the body of the sleeve 19 tends to deform slightly when the ridges 22 frictionally engage the bore 11 because of the thin cross Sections in the sleeve 19 and also because of the flexibility of the plastic materials that are used to make the sleeve element 19.

A venting surface in the form of a fiat 34 is provided on the spout 26 on the side opposite the pouring lip 27. The surface 34 provides a venting inlet for the pouring fitment when in use.

An outwardly projecting flange 35 is formed at the lower extremity of the spout member 26. The outer diameter of the flange 35 is somewhat greater than the opening in the flange 25 so that the flanges will engage as shown in FIGURE 3 when the spout member 25 is assembled with the sleeve 19. However, the sleeve 19 and the spout member 26 are made of materials which are suficiciently thin walled and fiexible so that the fiange 35 can be forced through the opening in the flange 25 without damage or permanent deformation to either member and without the use of excessive force for assembly.

A biasing means is provided in the form of a coil spring 36 which is assembled so that one end bears on the inwardly projecting flange 25 and the other end bears on the fin 31 to normally bias the spout member 26 to the pouring position shown in FIGURE 3. When in this position, the flange 35 acts as a stop means and cooperates with the fiange 25 to prevent the pouring fitment from becoming disassembled.

After the pouring fitment has been assembled, it is inserted in the dispensing outlet 11 of the container 10. As shown in FIGURE 2, the closure cap 16 is then screwed in place, compressing the spring 36 and forcing the inner spout member 26 downwardly. When in this position, the outer end of the pouring lip 27 lies on the chamfer 21 (FIGURE 2) so that the pouring lip 27 will not interfere with the formation of a tight seal between the closure cap 16 and the sealing surface 12. The sealing element consisting of the cork 17 and the liner 18 engages the sealing surface 12 to provide a liquid and gas-tight seal to avoid spilling of the contents in the container and to prevent ingress of air or other product contaminants.

The closure cap 16 is removed when liquid is to be poured from the container. This causes the spring 36 to force the spout member 26 outwardly until the stop means in the form of the flange 35 engages the flange 25 of the sleeve 19. FIGURE 3 illustrates the spout element -in its extended position with the container 19 tilted into pouring attitude. In this position, liquid flows through the opening in the spout member 26 and passes over the lip 27. The air entering the container flows over the venting surface and through one of the openings 24 in the sleeve 19. After the bottle is restored to its Vertical position, any liquid which has spilled over the sharp edge 28 of the pouring lip 27 will flow down the outer surface |of the spout member 26 into the annular space 37 (FIGURES 2 and 3) between the outer sleeve 19 and the spout member 26. From the annular space 37 it enters the container after the latter is returned to its normal position by flowing through the gap (FIGURE 1) in the fin 31 defined by the ends 38 and 39.

In actual tests conducted with the pouring fitment described herein, it was found that certain dimensions were critical when the fitment was applied to glass bottles for pouring Crisco Oil, a liquid shortening and salad oil. When the fitment is applied to a glass bottle having a 33 mm. finish and with a nominal bore of .875".Ol2", the width of the annular space 37 must be at least AG" in order for the oil to drain back into the bottle properly.

In addition, when pouring this product from a container of this size, it was found that the dimension x (FIGURE 3) must be at least 1A in order to prevent the oil from striking the edge of the bottle sealing surface 12 when liquid is initially poured from a full bottle. These same critical dimensions would apply when pouring this same product from bottles in which the wall thickness of the finish is the same as that of a standard 33 mm. finish.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A pouring fitment for a fiuid container comprising (a) a fiuid container having a dispensing Outlet conssting of an inner bore, a sealing surface and an outer thread,

(b) an annular cut-out at the juncture of said inner bore and said sealng surface,

(c) a closure cap having a sealing element consisting of a cork, and a covering liner therefor, said closure ca-p being screwed on said outer thread so that the sealing element engages the said sealing surface of said dispensing Outlet to form a gas-tight seal therewith,

(d) a pouring fitment comprising an outer sleeve having a body and an outwardly extendng upper fiange, a chamfer at the intersection of the body of said sleeve with said flange, said fiange being assembled in said cuteout at the juncture of the inner bore and the top surface of said dispensing outlet,

(e) a plurality of annular projecting ridges extending outwardly from said body of said outer sleeve to frictionally engage said inner bore of said dispensing Outlet to form a liquid-tight seal,

(f) a plurality of downwardly extending leg members on the 'body of said outer sleeve, said leg members defining a plurality of elongated openings with each of said openings being wider than any -one of said leg members,

(g) an inwardly projecting annular flange at the lower terminus of said leg members,

(h) an inner spout member mounted co-axially with said outer sleeve, the upper end of said inner spout member having an outwardly extending pouring lip terminating in a sharp edge, the pouring lip and body of said spout member being joined by a rounded surface,

(i) an annular fin at least partially encircling said spout member intermediate its ends, said fin extending outwardly into sliding contact with the bore in the body of said outer sleeve,

(j) a flat surface on said spout member, said flat surface being located opposite the central portion of said pouring lip and interrupting said annular fin,

(k) an outwardly projecting flange at the lower end of said spout member, said outwardly projecting flange being greater in diameter than the opening in the said inwardly projecting flange of said outer sleeve so that said outwardly projecting flange on said spout member can be forced through said opening without permanently deforming either of said flange members,

(l) a cOil member mounted between the annular fin On said spout member and the inwardly projecting flange on said outer sleeve tO normally bias said spout member upwardly to cause said outwardly projecting flange on said inner spout member to enigage the inwardly projecting flange on said outer sleeve,

(m) said closure cap forcing the spout member downwardly against the bias of said spring when said closure cap is attached to said thread of said dispensing opening so that the said pouring lip lies on said chamfer of said outer sleeve.

2. A pouring fitment for a fiuid container comprising (a) a fiuid container having a dispensing Outlet consisting of an inner bore, a sealing surface and an outer thread,

(b) an annular cut-out at the juncture of said inner bore and said sealing surface,

(c) a closure cap having a sealing element, said closure cap being screwed on said outer thread so that the sealing element engages the said sealing surface of t' the dispensing outlet to form a gas-tight seal therewith,

(d) a pouring fitment comprising an outer sleeve having a body and an outwardly extending upper fiange, a chamfer at the intersection of the body of said sleeve with said fiange, said fiange being assembled in said cut-out at the juncture of the inner bore and the sealing surface of said dispensing outlet,

(e) a plurality of annular projecting ridges extending outwardly from said body of said outer sleeve to frictionally engage said inner bore of said dispensing Outlet and form a tight seal,

(f) a plurality of downwardly extending leg members on the body of said outer sleeve, said leg members definng a plurality of elongated openings equal numerically to the number of said downwardly eX- tending leg members,

(g) an inwardly projecting annular fiange at the lower terminus of said leg members,

(h) an inner spout member mounted co-axially with said outer sleeve, the upper end of said inner spout member having an outwardly extending pouring lip terminating in a sharp edge,

(i) an annular lin at least partially encircling said spout member intermediate its ends, said fin extending outwardly into sliding contact with the internal surface of the body of said outer sleeve,

(j) a fiat surface on said spout member, said fiat surface being located opposite the central portion of the said pouring lip and interrupting said annular fin,

(k) an outwardly projecting ange at the lower end of said spout member, said outwardly projecting fiange being dirnensionally larger than the opening in the said inwardly projecting fiange of said outer sleeve,

(l) a coil spring member mounted between the annular fin on said spout member and the inwardly projecting flange on said outer sleeve to normally bias said spout member upwardly thereby causing said outwardly projecting fiange on said inner spout member to engage the inwardly projecting flange on said outer sleeve.

3. A pouring fitrnent for a fiuid container comprising (a) a fiuid container having a dispensing Outlet consisting of an inner bore, and a sealing surface,

(b) an annular cut-out at the juncture of said inner bore and said sealing surface,

(o) a pouring fitment comprising an outer sleeve having a body and an outwardly extending upper flange, said fiange being assembled in said cut-out at the juncture of the inner bore and the sealing surface of said dispensing Outlet,

(d) a plurality of annular projecting ridges extending outwardly from said body of said outer sleeve to frictionally engage said inner bore of said dispensing Outlet,

(e) a plurality of downwardly extending leg members on the body of said outer sleeve, said leg members defining a plurality of elongated Openings equal in number to the downwardly extending leg members,

(f) an inwardly projecting annular flange at the lower terminus of said leg members,

(g) an inner spout member mounted co-axially with said outer 'sleeve, the upper end of said inner spout member having an outwardly extending pouring lip terminating in a sharp edge,

(h) an annular fin at least partially encircling said spout member intermediate its ends, said fin member extending outwardly to guide the movement of said spout member and maintain it centrally of the body of said outer sleeve,

(i) a flat surface on said spout member providing an air vent, said flat surface interrupting the said annular fin on said spout member,

(j) an outwardly extending fiange at the lower end of said spout member, said outwardly projecting flange being dimensionally larger than the opening in the said inwardly projecting fiange of said outer sleeve,

(lf.) a spring member mounted between the annular fin on said spout member and the inwardly projecting flange on said outer sleeve to normally bias said spout member upwardly thereby causing said outwardly projecting flange on said inner spout member to engage the inwardly projecting flange on said outer sleeve.

4. A pouring fitment for a fiuid container comprising (a) a fiuid container having a dispensing outlet including an inner bore and a sealing surface,

(b) an annular cut-out at the juncture of said inner bore and said sealing surface,

(c) a pouring fitment comprising an outer sleeve having a body and an outwardly extending upper fiange, said flange being assembled in said cut-out at the juncture of the inner bore and the sealing surface of said dispensing Outlet,

(d) means on the body of said outer sleeve for frietionally engaging the bore of said dispensing outlet,

(e) at least one opening in the lower portion of said outer sleeve,

(f) an inwardly projecting surface in the lower portion of said outer sleeve,

(g) an inner spout member mounted co-axially With said outer sleeve, the upper end of said inner spout member having an outwardly extending pouring lip terminating in a sharp edge,

(h) an annular fin extending outwardly from said spout member intermediate its ends, said fin member extending outwardly to guide the movement of said spout member and to maintain it centrally of the body of said outer sleeve,

(i) an annular space between said outer sleeve and said inner spout member,

(j) a venting surface on said spout member for enlarging the said annular space in the area of the venting surface,

(k) an outwardly extending flange at the lower end of said spout member, said outwardly projecting fiange being dimensionally larger than the opening in the said inwardly projecting surface of said outer sleeve,

(l) and a spring mounted between the annular fin on said spout member and the inwardly projecting surface on said outer sleeve, said spring normally biasing said spout member upwardly and causing said outwardly projecting fiange on said inner spout member to engage the inwardly projecting surface on said outer sleeve.

5. A pouring fitment for a fiuid container comprising (a) a fiuid container having a dispensing Outlet including an inner bore and a sealing surface,

(b) a pouring fitment comprising an outer sleeve having a body,

(c) means for assembling said body in pouring relationship with the inner bore of said dispensing outlet,

(d) a projecting surface in the lower portion of said outer sleeve,

(e) an inner spout member mounted Within said outer sleeve, the upper end of said inner spout member having an outwardly extending pouring lip terminating in a sharp edge,

(f) an outwardly projecting fin extending from said spout member intermediate its ends, said fin member acting as a guide for said spout member when it is moved in said body of said outer sleeve,

(g) an annular space between said outer sleeve and said inner spout member,

(h) a venting surface on said spout member for enlarging the said annular space in the area of the venting surface,

(i) stop means at the lower end of said spout member cooperating with the projecting surface in the lower portion of said outer sleeve,

(j) biasing means mounted within said annular space for normally urging said stop means into engagement with the said proiecting surface in the lower portion of the said outer sleeve.

References Qited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,84l,313 7/1958 Beall 222-518 X 3,078,014 2/1963 Livingstone 222-525 X 3,l49,762 9/1964 Decker 222-525 X FOREIGN PATENTS 146,565 7/1936 Austria.

LOUIS J. DEMBO, Primary Examilzer. 

2. A POURING FITMENT FOR A FLUID CONTAINER COMPRISING (A) A FLUID CONTAINER HAVING A DISPENSING OUTLET CONSISTING OF AN INNER BORE, A SEALING SURFACE AND AN OUTER THREAD, (B) AN ANNULAR CUT-OUT AT THE JUNCTURE OF SAID INNER BORE AND SAID SEALING SURFACE, (C) A CLOSURE CAP HAVING A SEALING ELEMENT, SAID CLOSURE CAP BEING SCREWED ON SAID OUTER THREAD SO THAT THE SEALING ELEMENT ENGAGES THE SAID SEALING SURFACE OF THE DISPENSING OUTLET TO FORM A GAS-TIGHT SEAL THEREWITH, (D) A POURING FITMENT COMPRISING AN OUTER SLEEVE HAVING A BODY AND AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING UPPER FLANGE, A CHAMBER AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE BODY OF SAID SLEEVE WITH SAID FLANGE, SAID FLANGE BEING ASSEMBLED IN SAID CUT-OUT AT THE JUNCTURE OF THE INNER BORE AND THE SEALING SURFACE OF SAID DISPENSING OUTLET, (E) A PLURALITY OF ANNULAR PROJECTING RIDGES EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID BODY OF SAID OUTER SLEEVE TO FRICTIONALLY ENGAGE SAID INNER BORE OF SAID DISPENSING OUTLET AND FORM A TIGHT SEAL, (F) A PLURALITY OF DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING LEG MEMBERS ON THE BODY OF SAID OUTER SLEEVE, SAID LEG MEMBERS DEFINING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED OPENINGS EQUAL NUMERICALLY TO THE NUMBER OF SAID DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING LEG MEMBERS, (G) AN INWARDLY PROJECTING ANNULAR FLANGE AT THE LOWER TERMINUS OF SAID LEG MEMBERS, (H) AN INNER SPOUT MEMBER MOUNTED CO-AXIALLY WITH SAID OUTER SLEEVE, THE UPPER END OF SAID INNER SPOUT MEMBER HAVING AN OUTWARDLY EXTENDING POURING LIP TERMINATING IN A SHAPE EDGE, (I) AN ANNULAR FIN AT LEAST PARTIALLY ENCIRCLING SAID SPOUT MEMBER INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS, SAID FIN EXTENDING OUTWARDLY INTO SLIDING CONTACT WITH THE INTERNAL SURFACE OF THE BODY OF SAID OUTER SLEEVE, (J) A FLAT SURFACE ON SAID SPOUT MEMBER, SAID FLAT SURFACE BEING LOCATED OPPOSITE THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE SAID POURING LIP AND INTERRUPTING SAID ANNULAR FIN, (K) AN OUTWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE AT THE LOWER END OF SAID SPOUT MEMBER, SAID OUTWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE BEING DIMENSIONALLY LARGER THAN THE OPENING IN THE SAID INWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE OF SAID OUTER SLEEVE, (L) A COIL SPRING MEMBER MOUNTED BETWEEN THE ANNULAR FIN ON SAID SPOUT MEMBER AND THE INWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE ON SAID OUTER SLEEVE TO NORMALLY BIAS SAID SPOUT MEMBER UPWARDLY THEREBY CAUSING SAID OUTWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE ON SAID INNER SPOUT MEMBER TO ENGAGE THE INWARDLY PROJECTING FLANGE ON SAID OUTER SLEEVE. 